3 'Why have we fasted and You do not see ? Why have we humbled ourselves and You do not notice ?' Behold , on the day of your fast you find your desire , And drive hard all your workers . 4 "Behold , you fast for contention and strife and to strike with a wicked fist . You do not fast like you do today to make your voice heard on high . 5 "Is it a fast like this which I choose , a day for a man to humble himself ? Is it for bowing one's head like a reed And for spreading out sackcloth and ashes as a bed? Will you call this a fast , even an acceptable day to the Lord ? 6 "Is this not the fast which I choose , To loosen the bonds of wickedness , To undo the bands of the yoke , And to let the oppressed go free And break every yoke ? 7 "Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry And bring the homeless poor into the house ; When you see the naked , to cover him; And not to hide yourself from your own flesh ?
8 "Then your light will break out like the dawn , And your recovery will speedily spring forth ; And your righteousness will go before you; The glory of the Lord will be your rear guard . 9 "Then you will call , and the Lord will answer ; You will cry , and He will say , 'Here I am.' If you remove the yoke from your midst , The pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness , 10 And if you give yourself to the hungry And satisfy the desire of the afflicted , Then your light will rise in darkness And your gloom will become like midday . 11 "And the Lord will continually guide you, And satisfy your desire in scorched places , And give strength to your bones ; And you will be like a watered garden , And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail . 12 "Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins ; You will raise up the age-old foundations ; And you will be called the repairer of the breach , The restorer of the streets in which to dwell .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Isaiah 58:3-12
Commentary on Isaiah 58:3-12
(Read Isaiah 58:3-12)
A fast is a day to afflict the soul; if it does not express true sorrow for sin, and does not promote the putting away of sin, it is not a fast. These professors had shown sorrow on stated or occasioned fasts. But they indulged pride, covetousness, and malignant passions. To be liberal and merciful is more acceptable to God than mere fasting, which, without them, is vain and hypocritical. Many who seem humble in God's house, are hard at home, and harass their families. But no man's faith justifies, which does not work by love. Yet persons, families, neighbourhoods, churches, or nations, show repentance and sorrow for sin, by keeping a fast sincerely, and, from right motives, repenting, and doing good works. The heavy yoke of sin and oppression must be removed. As sin and sorrow dry the bones and weaken the strongest human constitution; so the duties of kindness and charity strengthen and refresh both body and mind. Those who do justly and love mercy, shall have the comfort, even in this world. Good works will bring the blessing of God, provided they are done from love to God and man, and wrought in the soul by the Holy Spirit.